STAND: 2025 Word of the Year

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

My son took martial arts lessons in elementary and middle school. He started by learning the correct “stance”. By placing his feet a specific distance apart and keeping his hands in ready position, he had more flexibility in protecting himself and was less likely to fall or take a hit when attacked. Later, he competed on a trap team, which is a shooting sport. Again, he needed a strong stance to balance his weight against the jolt of the shotgun when he fired.

Both of these situations came to mind when I settled on my word of the year for 2025.

It became apparent a little later than usual this year. As I race to the finish line reading the Bible chronologically, I began to notice a phrase repeated through the New Testament.

Depending on the version you read, “Stand Firm” is commanded 7-8 times in the letters of Peter, Paul, and John. The more I read it, the more it stood out to me.

I’ve been in constant prayer over a specific situation these last few months. What I really want is God’s nod of approval to swoop in and fix what’s wrong. I can so clearly see what needs to happen to put everything right again. We just need a well-thought-out plan (of which I have several prepared) and a thorough checklist. 

Alas, this one isn’t mine to fix.

Every time I read the apostles’ teaching to “stand firm” usually referring to my faith, I am reminded that God has a better plan than any I’ve dreamed up. He can see what lies ahead tomorrow, next year, and ten years from now. He knows the lessons we’d all miss if we followed one of my plans which avoids all pain and discomfort for everyone involved.

But “Stand” does not mean that I am unmoving. I am responding to the attacks on my faith and continually believing God’s promises of forgiveness and eternal life. And as I stand firm on my faith, I’m called to move forward as an effective and knowledgeable servant of Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have a word or phrase for 2025? I’d love to hear it!